Acton Town Hall and Surroundings

Draft Supplementary Planning Document (February 2011)

CONSULTATION STATEMENT

MAY 2011

FINAL

1INTRODUCTION

1.1The Acton Town Hall and Surroundings Draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was published by Ealing Council for public consultation from 9th February to 25th March 2011.

1.2The SPD was produced to: confirm the council’s commitment and promote the site as a development opportunity to the property development industry; guide future development proposals through an agreed vision and related development objectives; and clarify town planning policy aspects and how they relate to the site’s development.

1.3The SPD was the subject of public consultation in accordance with Regulation 17 of the Town and Country (Local Development)(England) Regulations 2004 and this Consultation Statement has been produced in accordance with Regulations 17(1)(b) and 18(4)(b) of the Town and Country (Local Development)(England) Regulations 2004.

1.4In accordance with regulation 17(1)(b), this Consultation Statement sets out:

(i)The names of persons consulted in connection with the preparation of the SPD (see APPENDIX 1)

(ii)How those persons were consulted (Section 2 – THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE)

(iii)A summary of the main issues raised in those consultations (Section 3 – SUMMARY OF MAIN ISSUES RAISED)

(iv)How those issues have been addressed in the SPD (Section 4 – RESPONSE TO ISSUES RAISED and APPENDIX 2)

2THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE

The consultation arrangements

2.1The consultation period took place from 9th February to 25th March 2011.

2.2The SPD was published on the Council’s web site during this period along with consultation response forms and advice on where and when the SPD was available for inspection. Details were also published on the Acton W3 website.

2.3Posters were displayed on buildings on the site (namely the Priory Centre, Library, Baths and Kings Rooms). Posters were also displayed in various locations throughout Acton (e.g. on community buildings, supermarkets, post-offices etc).

2.4Leaflets were provided to Priory Community Groups, Action Acton and Acton Forum to distribute to their users. Leaflets were also distributed at Acton Market and on the High Street.

2.5An exhibition stand was displayed in Acton Library during the consultation period where hard copies of the Draft SPD could be viewed and consultation forms completed.

2.6The Project Coordinator attended the Acton Central Ward Forum on the 2nd February 2011; Southfields Ward Forum on the 9th February 2011; and South Acton Ward Forum on the 16th March 2011 in order to provide an update on the project and notify the attendees about the consultation process and the drop-in session.

2.7A drop-in session was held on 8th March 2011 from 1pm–8pm at the Priory Centre, Acton Lane, where the public could learn more about the SPD and register their views.

2.8An Acton Town Hall Team meeting was also held on the 15th February 2011.

2.9The Council published a statutory notice in the Ealing Gazette on 4th February 2011 advising that the SPD was available for inspection and the places and times at which it could be inspected. An article was also published in the Gazette on the 18th February 2011.

2.10An article was featured in the January 2011 edition of Around Ealing which provided an update on the project and notification of the consultation dates. An additional news section also appeared in the March 2011 edition of Around Ealing.

2.11The Council sent copies of the SPD to specific and general consultation bodies as listed in APPENDIX 1.

The response

2.12Some 119 representations were submitted by 31 individuals and organisations. The respondents included:

  • 18 local residents
  • 7 local community organisations:
  • Ealing Housing Co-operative
  • Acton History Group
  • Churchfield Community Association
  • Ealing Civic Society
  • Action Acton
  • Acton Ballet School
  • Oke-Osisi Africa
  • 6 other organisations:
  • The Theatres’ Trust
  • Morrison’s supermarket
  • Environment Agency
  • Her Majesty’s Court Service
  • English Heritage
  • Thames Water

3SUMMARY OF MAIN ISSUES RAISED

3.1 The main issues raised by respondents are summarised below

Retention of swimming baths

  • Objections to replacement of existing swimming baths, including the learner pool, which are felt to work very well.
  • Need for replacement not understood
  • Concern that the benefits of the existing swimming facilities have not been properly compared with those of the proposed replacements.

Mix of uses

  • Concerns expressed about possible retail mix and potential for large multiple retailers
  • Support for office use, including for Council Services
  • Concern over traffic generation/parking from substantial additional retail
  • Concern over more pubs and betting shops.
  • Concern that bar/restaurant/pub space is too large and could become a night club
  • Retail on Town Hall site should be limited to small scale A1-A5 uses
  • Potential uses of magistrate’s Court should be expanded to include community, residential, leisure, retail or business.

Retention of Library

  • Support for replacement of library but some concerns about proposed new layout
  • Objections to moving library from current premises with concern over what will happen to the historic premises and its role as a community hub.

Amount and type of housing

  • Living in the converted Town hall could be a ‘stylish choice’
  • Support for provision of affordable housing
  • Concern over additional traffic/parking from additional residential
  • Concern that affordable housing on the Town Hall site will degrade the civic centre role of the site and its inspiration foe r the community
  • Objections to level of housing proposed and concern over need for associated services e.g. GPs.

Availability of alternative Community facilities during construction

  • Concerns expressed about length of time that community facilities, including the swimming pool, would not be available during the construction period.
  • Concerns over premises for Priory Centre users during construction period.
  • Suggestion that the Magistrate’s Court is used temporarily for displaced community uses.
  • Need for continued premises for Alan Winner Academy

Need for car park

  • Suggestions for using the car park for housing.
  • Observation that there is not enough car parking at present

Height and density of development

  • High density proposals are out of character with the built form and style of the area
  • New development should be of similar height to existing low level and essentially Edwardian character
  • The Town Hall clock should remain as the tallest landmark in the locality
  • More of the Kings rooms should be retained as it is an undesignated heritage asset that adds to the character of the area
  • Concern over impact of proposed tall buildings on the heritage assets

Protection of historic fabric and heritage assets

  • Retain the Library and Magistrate’s Court buildings as these are important heritage assets.
  • There should be no substantial harm to or loss of historic fabric.
  • Oppose demolition of King’s Rooms – a vital asset for Acton
  • Concern over impact of conversion of assembly hall on its historic character
  • Council Chamber and other fine rooms on first floor should be preserved, preferably for community uses
  • Objection to the definition of the Magistrate’s Court as an undesignated heritage asset as it is not locally listed or identified as potentially such in the Conservation Area Character Appraisal
  • Concern over lack of robust vision encompassing the principles of conservation led regeneration and associated evidence base
  • Should be more exploration of alternative forms of development that may have different impacts on heritage assets.
  • Design codes should be developed to guide development which responds to local character/heritage while producing innovative new design
  • Concern over impact of proposed tall buildings on the heritage assets

Retention of Priory Centre

  • Views expressed preferring refurbishment of existing priory Centre or development for a local authority primary school
  • Support for converting Priory Centre to school
  • Objections to loss of Priory Centre

Ensure sufficient provision for community uses

  • Calls for comparable facilities including performance spaces with sprung floors and stage.
  • Concern over loss of assembly hall as a large public meeting place or auditorium
  • Adaption of library for community uses might be better value for money
  • Provision for community uses should have priority over affordable housing
  • Insufficient space for community groups
  • Questioned why another fitness centre and cafes when there are established facilities nearby – should be more community uses.

Retention of borehole under existing pool

  • Vital that borehole in basement of baths is retained so ground water levels can be monitored

Water supply and drainage

  • Low risk of flooding but measures needed to ensure groundwater protection of basements including Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems.
  • Future applications should be supported by information on demand for water supply, sewage and drainage.

General comments

  • Proposals for pool, gym and library could be an exciting and innovative project
  • Support for local benefits of new and improved community facilities and re-use of historic buildings
  • Space for tree planting should not be overlooked
  • Bar/restaurant uses in the existing library building would cause noise nuisance to nearby residential
  • 20% of energy consumption should be generated on site via renewables rather than 10%
  • Council should develop a partnership with local community groups to deliver services in the premises – Town Hall and Library.
  • Need for safer cycle lanes and cycle stands
  • Acton does not have an image problem for its residents!

4RESPONSE TO ISSUES RAISED

4.1A full summary of the consultation responses received, the Council’s response and any proposed changes to the SPD as a result of the consultation responses is provided within Appendix 2 of this Statement.

. APPENDICIES

APPENDIX 1: CONSULTEES

Consultee Organisation
CGMS Consulting (Agents for Met Police)
Natural England
Mayor of London
O2 (cellnet)
T-Mobile (UK) Limited
BBC
Strategic Rail Authority
Highways Agency
London Borough of Brent, Environmental Planning
London Borough of Hillingdon
London Borough of Hounslow
London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
London Borough of Harrow
North West London Strategic Health Authority
Ealing Primary Care Trust
Ealing Primary Care Trust
Good Energy Limited
ScottishPower
SWEB Energy Limited
Utility Link Limited
Atlantic Electric and Gas
British Gas
Ecotricity
London Energy Plc
Npower
Opus Energy Limited
Powergen
Scottish Gas
Scottish Hydro Electric
Seeboard Energy Limited
Southern Electric
English Heritage
SWALEC
Telecom Plus PLC
Virgin HomeEnergy Limited
Abingdon Energy Limited
Countrywide Farmers Plc
Monal Utilities
ScottishPower
Total Gas & Power Limited
British Gas Properties
Greater London Archaeology Advisory Service
London Waste Regulating Authority
Anglian Water
Thames Water
West London Waste Authority
RenewableUK - British Wind Energy Association
Director of Asset Management
English Nature
GOL
West London Tram, TFL
Thames Water Property Services
Greater London Authority (GLA)
The Countryside Agency
Highways Agency
Environment Agency
English Nature
BT Group plc
Vodafone Group Plc
Ealing Primary Care Trust
Greater London Authority (GLA)
Greater London Authority (GLA)
Natural England
Ealing Primary Care Trust (PCT)
Thames Water
National Grid

APPENDIX 2: CONSULTATION MATRIX

See attached.